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River Thames high in antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Ninety per cent of antibiotics taken by people enter the sewage system after passing through the body.

Researchers call for a significant cut in antibiotic prescriptions

Scientists studying the effect of antibiotic prescriptions on the environment say there would need to be an 80 per cent fall in antibiotics entering the River Thames to avoid the development of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’.

Researchers from the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) modelled the effects of the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a river. They found that, across three-quarters of the River Thames, the antibiotics present were high enough for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to develop.

The study comes after England’s chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies warned that antibiotic resistance could kill humans “before climate change does.”
 Results are published in the journal PLOS ONE.

“Rivers are a ‘reservoir’ for antibiotic-resistant bacteria which can quickly spread to people via water, soil, air, food and animals,” said Dr Andrew Singer of the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. “Our beaches offer a similar risk. It has been shown that surfers are four times more likely to carry drug-resistant bacteria than non-surfers.”

Ninety per cent of antibiotics taken by people enter the sewage system after passing through the body, with around half ending up in rivers when the sewage is discharged. 


“The release of drugs and bugs into our rivers increases the likelihood of antibiotic-resistant genes being shared, either through mutation or ‘bacterial sex’,” explains Dr Singer.

“This is the first step towards the development of superbugs as the drugs used to fight them will no longer work. Environmental pollution from drugs and bugs is a serious problem that we need to find solutions to.”


Researchers say there are several possible solutions to cut the number of antibiotics that enter our rivers. These include reducing inappropriate prescriptions, taking preventative action so fewer medicines are needed in the first place and increased investment in the research and development of new wastewater treatment processes. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.